Insights into Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana: Enhancing healthcare access

Access to quality healthcare is the basic right of humans. Every citizen deserves access to quality healthcare irrespective of their socioeconomic status. However, it is quite challenging in India for economically weaker families to meet their healthcare needs due to financial constraints, poor infrastructure, high out-of-pocket costs, and healthcare inequality. Out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure pushes many families into poverty in India every year. The Government of Gujarat has implemented the Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana to help these vulnerable sections of society with quality healthcare.

Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana – An overview

Mukhyamantri Amrutum or MA Yojana is a healthcare scheme launched by the Gujarat Government in 2012 to cater to the healthcare requirements of families that fall below the Poverty Line (BPL). The scheme aims to provide comprehensive health coverage to BPL families enhancing their access to quality healthcare including hospitalisation, therapies, surgeries, and more.

Eligibility criteria

Families that come under the list of ‘Below Poverty Line (BPL)’ as per the Gujarat State Government are eligible to receive the benefits of Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana. Families that are marginally above the poverty line can benefit from MA Vatsalya Yojana if their annual income is up to INR 4 lakhs (the limit is INR 6 lakhs for families with senior citizens. It also covers families of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers and reporters.

Benefits of Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana

The following are the benefits of this MA scheme, which is funded by the government:

1. The scheme provides coverage of up to INR 5 lakhs to each family covering up to five members of the family.

2. A wide range of illnesses are covered under the MA Yojana. Some of them include treatment for kidney disorders, burns, neurosurgery, tuberculosis, neonatal issues, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, joint/knee replacement, polytrauma, and more.

3. The coverage is given for both pre-existing illnesses and newly discovered diseases.

4. The healthcare treatment availed under both public and private facilities qualifies for the scheme

5. Free medication and free health check camps

However, it is important to note that the scheme excludes healthcare costs incurred for non-essential treatments, substance abuse therapy, treatment availed overseas, cosmetic procedures, and organ transplants.

Application process

The application for Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana can be placed through Kiosks at Civic Centers or online via the official website with a few simple steps.

• Eligible beneficiaries to visit the official website of Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana to fill up the MA Amrutam card application with all the details or visit Kiosks at Civic Centres.

• Kiosks are equipped to capture beneficiaries' biometrics and photos used for issuing MA Amrutam card

• After completion of the enrolment process and verification of details, an MA Amrutam card is issued to the scheme beneficiaries.

Documents required for Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana

• Proof of identity

• Proof of address

• Income proof

• BPL card/ certificate

Conclusion

To conclude, the scheme aims to lighten the financial burden of medical expenses on vulnerable families. It enhances healthcare access for them by providing holistic coverage ensuring that no family is pushed into poverty due to healthcare expenditure.